Coiled Tubing Well Intervention System and Method

Abstract

An apparatus having a modular support frame with a top deck. The top deck has a passage therein. A tower is mounted on the top deck. A moveable plate and a track are positioned within the passage. The movable plate is slidingly attached to the track. A support rotary table is disposed within the modular support frame and suspends jointed tubulars. A coiled tubing injector head interface plate is operatively attached to the movable plate, and positioned over the first aperture of the movable plate. The first aperture is positioned over the well in a first position. A rotary table is positioned over the well in a second position. The apparatus is mounted on a transport vehicle in a transport position and moved to a well site. A lifting mechanism lifts the apparatus into an upright position. Well intervention work is conducted with coiled tubing and jointed tubulars.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 12 / 074,734, filed on Mar. 6, 2008.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing well intervention work. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing coiled tubing well intervention operations with jointed tubulars from a platform.[0003]In the drilling, completion, and production of hydrocarbons, an operator may find it necessary to perform various well intervention work. Prior art techniques of performing well intervention work include utilizing traditional drilling rigs and snubbing units. As well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, drilling rigs and snubbing units produce a large foot print and the cost can be quite significant. Put another way, well intervention work with a drilling rig and / or snubbing units can be very expensive.[0004]One alternati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]An advantage of the present invention is that the system disclosed allows an operator to utilize coiled tubing and jointed pipe together in an operational environment. Yet another advantage is that the apparatus can be used on offshore platforms. Yet another advantage is that the well intervention work utilizing the apparatus and method do not require a drilling rig. Still yet another advantage is that rigging up and rigging down of a coiled tubing unit is facilitated.

[0013]A feature of the present invention is the tower used for making-up and breaking-down the jointed tubulars. The tower can also be used for supporting the coiled tubing injector head. In the most preferred embodiment, the tower is a tripod. Another feature is that a rotary table is used for making-up and breaking-down the tubular connections. Yet another feature is the movable plate operatively associated within a passage, wherein the movable plate contains a first and second aperture. Another feature includes the track operatively associated with the passage that cooperates with the movable plate to allow movement of the movable plate. Still yet another feature is the interface plate that connects to a coiled tubing injector head, and wherein the interface plate may be used to hold the coiled tubing injector head as well as position the injector in a correct orientation.

[0014]In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for performing well intervention operations on a well with a coiled tubing unit and jointed tubulars on land. The apparatus may include a modular support frame with a top deck having a passage therein. The modular support frame may be rotatably mounted on a transport vehicle. The apparatus may also include a tower mounted on the top deck, a movable plate positioned within the passage. The movable plate may have a first aperture and a second aperture therein. The apparatus may further include a track formed within the passage, and the movable plate may be slidingly attached to the track. The apparatus may further include a coiled tubing injector head interface plate operatively attached to the movable plate. The coiled tubing injector head plate may be positioned over the first aperture of the movable plate. In a first position, the coiled tubing injector head interface plate may be positioned over the well.

[0015]The apparatus may further include a lifting mechanism having a first end and a second end. The first end may be rotatably attached to the transport vehicle and the second end may be rotatably attached to the modular support frame. The lifting mechanism may be capable of moving the modular support frame between a transport position and an upright position.

[0016]The apparatus may further include one or more frame expansion mechanisms having a retracted position and an expanded position. Each of the frame expansion mechanisms may be capable of vertically displacing a portion of the modular support frame when activated by moving from the retracted position to the expanded position. The apparatus may further include one or more frame locking mechanisms having a disengaged position and an engaged position. Each of the frame locking mechanisms may be capable of locking a frame expansion mechanism in the expanded position when the frame locking mechanisms is activated by moving from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

[0017]The apparatus may further include one or more tower expansion mechanisms. Each tower expansion mechanisms may be capable of vertically displacing a portion of the tower when activated. The apparatus may further include one or more tower locking mechanisms having a disengaged position and an engaged position. Each tower locking mechanism may be capable of locking a tower expansion mechanism in the expanded position when the tower locking mechanism is activated by moving from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

Problems solved by technology

As well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, drilling rigs and snubbing units produce a large foot print and the cost can be quite significant.

Put another way, well intervention work with a drilling rig and / or snubbing units can be very expensive.

In the case where jointed pipe is used, an operator will need to lift, lower, make-up, break-out, etc. the jointed pipe, and coiled tubing units are not suited for this type of activity.

In other words, use of coiled tubing units presents pipe handling problems such as lifting and lowering jointed pipe that is being used in conjunction with the coiled tubing.

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